MAY 4, 2011

Pollock to provide 'green' engine

Craig Pollock, former BAR founder and manager of Jacques Villeneuve, is planning a return to the sport's premier category as boss of a new engine manufacturer, the PURE Corporation (Propulsion Universelle et Recuperation d'Energie), aiming to produce an efficient engine to the new greener 1.6-litre four cylinder turbo regulations due for introduction in 2013.

"We are in the design and development stage but we now have a good package and can go forward and start talking to teams," Pollock said.

Pollock's partners are Mecachrome and TEOS powertrain, with former Renault Sport MD Christian Contzen offering his services as a consultant, the link with Pollock stretching back to 1999 when BAR made its F1 debut with Supertec engines. Former Renault and Peugeot man Jean-Pierre Boudy is also involved.

Pollock says he needs two teams to make the F1 project viable but that the company is also actively pursuing marine and aviation applications too. Interestingly, the PURE announcement includes a quote from FIA president Jean Todt: "We welcome PURE to Formula One. The rule changes for 2013 have been developed to provide lower cost, greener and more fuel-efficient technologies. We wish PURE every success in developing powertrains compliant with the new FIA regulations."

The announcement comes at a time when the FIA's new 2013 engine regulations have been opposed by Bernie Ecclestone, with Ferrari also believed to be luke warm about the changes. Pollock is banking on there being a market for a quality, cost-effective engine and says he is now ready to meet teams, which may happen as early as the Spanish GP.